SISTER ACT: Stuart Country Day School lacrosse player Lauren Lee defends a foe in a game this spring. Freshman midfielder Lee combined with her older sister, junior attacker Allison Lee, to trigger the Tartan offense. The younger Lee tallied 21 goals and 10 assists while her sister led the way for Stuart with 88 goals and 10 assists. The Tartans posted a final record of 6-12. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Enduring some ups and downs this spring as it incorporated a number of young players into its lineup, Stuart Country Day School displayed its growth by ending the season on a high note.

Stuart defeated the Solebury School (Pa.) 16-1 and then topped Gill St. Bernards 14-7 in its season finale on May 20 as the Tartans posted a final record of 6-12.

Stuart first-year head coach Paige Meszaros saw the pair of wins as a culmination of the effort her players put in this spring. more

FULL EFFORT: Princeton Day School baseball player Keegan Fullman fires a pitch in action this spring. Freshman Fullman starred with his arm and bat in his debut campaign, helping PDS go on a late run that saw it win four of its last five games, including a victory in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Non-Public B tournament. The Panthers ended 2024 with a 6-17 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Princeton Day School baseball team lost 2-1 to Trenton High in mid-May to suffer its seventh defeat in its last eight games and drop to 2-16, it appeared that the Panthers were heading to a rough homestretch.

But PDS head coach Eric Schnepf saw the loss to the Tornadoes as a step forward.

“That was a really close game,” said Schnepf. “That got us going, we started to play better.” more

SUPPLY CHAIN: Troy Jones puts up a shot for Princeton Supply last year in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League. Star guard Jones helped Princeton Supply win the league’s best-of-three championship series in 2023 as the squad broke through for its first crown. Princeton Supply is back to defend its title as the league tips off its 35th year with a doubleheader on June 12 at the Community Park courts. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League, its slogan of “#Still Here” is ringing true in a big way this week as the league is tipping off its 2024 campaign with nine squads ready to hit the Community Park courts.

With the venerable hoops circuit entering its 35th year, Rec Department executive director and league commissioner Evan Moorhead is proud of its staying power.

“It is a lot of the same faces from last year, there are a lot of returners which is good,” said Moorhead, reflecting on the 2024 campaign with which will start with a doubleheader on June 12 at Community Park. “There is good loyalty to the league, guys come back, year in, year out. We know them, they know us. It is always a big one when you are on the 5s or the 0s. It is another nice milestone to reach considering where we started in the summer of 1989 and here we are in 2024. We are still going strong, it is still a popular league and still drawing fans. It is one of the top leagues, if not the top outdoor league, in the area. A lot of leagues have moved inside.” more

FIRST CLASS: Princeton High boys’ tennis player Garrett Mathewson blasts a backhand in a match earlier this spring. Last Friday, sophomore Mathewson produced a straight-set win at first singles to help top-seeded PHS defeat fifth-seeded Middletown South 5-0 in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 3 semis. The Tigers, who improved to 16-0 with the win, were slated to host second-seeded WW/P-South in the sectional final on June 4 with the victor advancing to the Group 3 state semis on June 6 at the Mercer County Tennis Facility. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though Garrett Mathewson is just a sophomore, he hasn’t been fazed by moving into the first singles spot this spring for the Princeton High boys’ tennis team.

“It has been great, it feels good to be at first singles,“ said Mathewson. “Last year I was at three, it was kind of hard.”

In facing a higher level of competition this spring in the top singles spot, Mathewson has focused on staying in the moment. more

ALL IN: Princeton High boys’ lacrosse player Alex Famiglietti heads upfield in recent action. Junior midfielder Famiglietti tallied two goals and one assist as ninth-seeded PHS fell 13-10 to eighth-seeded Northern Highlands in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey Group 3 tournament on May 24. The defeat left the Tigers with a final record of 11-8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It proved to be an uncomfortable sense of déjà vu for the Princeton High boys’ lacrosse team as it played at Northern Highlands in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey Group 3 tournament.

Last year, PHS headed up to Northern Highlands in the NJSIAA opener and lost 14-12.

In the 2024 state tourney rematch on May 24, the ninth-seeded Tigers found themselves in another nail-biter with eighth-seeded Northern Highlands as the foes were locked in a 9-9 stalemate heading into the fourth quarter. more

LEADING MAN: Princeton High baseball player Dylan Newman connects in a game this spring. Senior Newman enjoyed a superb final campaign for the Tigers, batting .381 with 24 hits and 11 RBIs. PHS, which fell 12-2 to South River on May 21 in its last game, posted a final record of 8-16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Princeton High baseball team defeated longtime nemesis Hopewell Valley 7-3 in late April, it appeared that the Tigers were on the right track.

The victory improved PHS to 5-6 and the squad was hoping that beating a powerhouse HoVal squad could be a springboard to a big May.

“After the Hopewell game, we said we can’t let this be a highlight,” said Tiger head coach Dom Capuano. “We have to work forward and we really didn’t.” more

IN CONTROL: Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse player Kelly Christie, right, goes after a ground ball in recent action. Last Thursday, senior star Christie tallied four goals and two assists and scooped up 11 draw controls to help fifth-seeded PDS top 12th-seeded Newark Academy 19-7 in the first round of the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public Group B tournament. The Panthers, now 15-5, will play at fourth-seeded Saddle River Day on May 30 in a quarterfinal contest. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Kelly Christie beamed with a large chain draped around her neck after the Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse team defeated Newark Academy 19-7 last Thursday in the first round of the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public Group B tournament.

Senior attacker/midfielder Christie was awarded the chain in the PDS postgame huddle in recognition of her gritty play in the victory more

UNITED THEY STAND: Members of the Princeton FC 2009 United 15U enjoy the moment after they placed first in their division at the New Jersey Youth Soccer (NJYS) Presidents Cup earlier this month. PFC United topped NJ Stallions 09 Valencia 2-0 in the final on May 18. The club is next in action when it competes in the US Youth Soccer Eastern Regional in Charleston/Barboursville, W.Va., from June 14-18.

By Bill Alden

Achieving a historic championship double, two Princeton FC squads, PFC 2009 United 15U and the PFC 2006 Barcelona 18U, won New Jersey Youth Soccer (NJYS) boys’ state titles earlier this month.

The PFC United 15U team started its title run on April 6 at Princeton Day School by defeating the SPF Raiders Gold 8-0 in the Round of 32 in the NJYS Presidents Cup. United got goals from Oscar Klein, David Gajewski, Rayyaan Mohiuddin, Kingston Lipsey, Yash Thakur, and Gregoire Stefani in the victory. more

FINISHING TOUCH: Princeton High boys’ lacrosse player Braden Barlag heads past two Lawrenceville B players last week in the Mercer County Tournament semis. Junior attacker Barlag scored a career-best seven goals in the May 14 game as third-seeded PHS topped the Big Red 19-11. Two days later, Barlag tallied four goals and one assist but it wasn’t enough as the Tigers fell 16-11 to fifth-seeded and host Hopewell Valley in the MCT final. PHS, now 11-7, will be starting action in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey Group 3 tournament this week where they are seeded ninth and will play at eighth-seeded Northern Highlands in a first round contest on May 24. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

While Braden Barlag has piled up a lot of goals this spring for the Princeton High boys’ lacrosse team, he readily acknowledges that his production results from a group effort.

“It is amazing having two of the best players in the state,” said junior attacker Barlag, referring to Tiger senior star attacker Patrick Kenah and junior standout midfielder Brendan Beatty. “They are the best teammates you could ask for, and two of the best leaders. We have some other great players like Jason Singer and Alex Famiglietti. They are great dudes to play with and great guys. I love being on the team with them. They hit me on the stick every time so I can just step and shoot it. It is just an honor to play with them.” more

By Justin Feil

Mila Trkov has been adjusting to her first year of track and field with the Princeton High girls’ squad.

The freshman took another big step by anchoring two of the Tigers’ highest placing events at the Mercer County Championships on Friday and Saturday at Robbinsville High, the 4×800 and the 4×400 relays. She has toggled between the sprints and the distance group as a runner who can help both relay teams.

“It was definitely really scary because there was like that pressure that now we can score points,” said Trkov. “I was in the relays for the 4×8 and the 4×4 so I didn’t want to let my team down, and you know my group down. So there was definitely some nervousness from that as well as my additional pre-race anxiety.” more

HAVING A BLAST: Hun School baseball player E.J. Balewitz makes contact in the Mercer County Tournament final last Thursday at Trenton Thunder Ballpark as second-seeded Hun defeated top-seeded Lawrence 10-2 to win the title. Senior catcher Balewitz, who blasted a walk-off homer as Hun edged Robbinsville 5-4 in the MCT semis, helped Hun end the season with the Prep A state title as it defeated Lawrenceville 8-7 in the final round of the double-elimination competition last Saturday. The Raiders, who finished the spring with a 20-5 record, became the first team in program history to win the MAPL (Mid-Atlantic Prep League) title, MCT crown, and Prep A championship in the same season. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

From May 11-18, the Hun School baseball team faced a playoff gauntlet as it competed in both the Mercer County Tournament and Prep A state tourney.

Rising to the occasion and getting contributions throughout its roster, Hun ran the table, going 3-0 in the MCT on the way to winning its second county crown in three years and 3-0 in the Prep A as it earned its second straight title in the competition. more

LEADING ROLE: Hun School softball player Sam Jolly lays down a bunt in a 2023 game. Last week, sophomore second baseman and leadoff hitter Jolly starred as top-seeded Hun defeated fifth-seeded Lawrenceville 3-0 in the Prep A state semis. Jolly went 2 for 2 with a walk, run, and RBI in the May 14 contest. Two days later, Jolly went 1 for 3 with a run in a losing cause as the Raiders feel 3-2 to third-seeded Pingry in the Prep A final. Hun ended the spring with an 18-3 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Sam Jolly’s uniform was covered with dirt stains after the Hun School softball team defeated visiting Lawrenceville 3-0 in the Prep A state semi last week.

Those stains were badges of honor for Jolly as she sparked the Hun hitting attack from her leadoff spot, going 2 for 2 with a walk, run, and RBI helping the top-seeded Raiders edge the fifth-seeded Big Red. more

LEAD SINGER: Princeton High boys’ lacrosse player Jason Singer looks to unload the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior attacker Singer scored two goals to help third-seeded PHS edge sixth-seeded Robbinsville 8-7 in a Mercer County Tournament quarterfinal contest. The Tigers, who improved to 10-6 with the win, were slated to face second-seeded Lawrenceville B in the MCT semis on May 14 with the victor advancing to the final on May 16 at Hopewell Valley. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In his first two years at Princeton High, Jason Singer emerged as a versatile performer for the boys’ tennis team, playing third singles, first doubles, and second doubles.

Coming into the spring of his junior year in 2023, though, Singer decided to switch things up athletically and joined the Tiger boys’ lacrosse program.

“I was pretty successful both years in the tennis season but I wanted to come back to lacrosse because I played with Patrick [Kenah] when I was in a middle school,” said Singer. “I just wanted to play more of a team sport.” more

By Bill Alden

After producing a superb regular campaign that saw it go 13-0 in dual match play and win two in-season tournaments, the Princeton High boys’ golf team was primed to defend its title at the Mercer County Tournament.

While continuing to play well, PHS fell just short of a title repeat as it took second with a score of 312, five strokes behind champion Lawrenceville in the event played on May 3 at the Mountain View Golf Course. more

GROUND CONTROL: Hun School girls’ lacrosse player Aspen Swanson scoops up the ball off the ground in recent action. Last Thursday, sophomore attacker Swanson scored two goals in a losing cause as fifth-seeded Hun fell 19-4 to top-seeded and eventual champion Lawrenceville in the Mercer County Tournament semifinal. The Raiders, who lost 14-10 to Princeton High last Monday to move to 9-7, hosts Princeton Day School on May 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Hun School girls’ lacrosse team having lost 20-10 to Lawrenceville in a regular season meeting on April 10, Aspen Swanson and her Raider teammates realized they faced a tough test when the rivals met for a rematch last Thursday in the Mercer County Tournament semis.

“We knew this game was going to be a tough one, they are skilled and everything,” said Hun sophomore star attacker Swanson. “We just had to come out with the best mindset that we could. Effort is key here.” more

COOL HAND LUKE: Princeton Day School catcher Luke Haan guards the plate in a game earlier this spring. Junior Haan has been an anchor of the team defensively from the catcher spot and is also hitting .293. PDS, which fell 9-1 to Allentown last Monday to move to 2-15, hosts Trenton Central on May 15, plays at Hightstown on May 17, and then hosts North Plainfield on May 18 and Willingboro on May 20. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Encouraged by defeating Dunellen 7-5 on May 4 in posting its second win of the season, the Princeton Day School baseball team was looking for a Colonial Valley Conference breakthrough as it hosted WW/P-South last Wednesday.

The game was knotted at 0-0 heading into the second inning before the roof fell in on PDS as WW/P-S pushed across nine runs in the top of the frame. Things went from bad to worse for the Panthers as they fell 23-2 to the Pirates. more

PUSHING BACK: Princeton Day School boys’ lacrosse player Matt Whittaker, left, battles to get past a foe in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, senior attacker Whittaker tallied a goal and two assists as top-seeded PDS topped eighth-seeded Ewing 15-0 in the opening round of the Mercer County Invitational. PDS defeated fourth-seeded WW/P-South 11-3 in the MCI quarters as Whittaker tallied five goals and one assist. The Panthers, now 6-10, will host the winner of the semi between Lawrence-WW/P-North in the MCI final on May 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Matt Whittaker was part of the supporting cast last spring for the Princeton Day School boys’ lacrosse team as it won the Prep B state title and advanced to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public B state final.

“Last year, I only had half the season, I was a transfer from Lawrence High,” said Whittaker, who tallied 12 goals and 11 assists in 2023. more

TOUGHING IT OUT: Princeton High girls’ lacrosse player Sarah Henderson, left, unloads the ball in a game last season. Last Thursday, Henderson, who has bounced back from serious injuries over the years, came up big on her Senior Day, tallying one goal and four assists to help PHS defeat Robbinsville 11-7. Last Monday, Henderson scored a goal as sixth-seeded PHS fell 13-8 to third-seeded Notre Dame in the quarterfinal round of the Mercer County Tournament. The Tigers, now 10-6, host Hun School on May 13. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Sarah Henderson, making it to her Senior Day for the Princeton High girls’ lacrosse team last Thursday proved to be a bit of an ordeal.

During her high school career, Henderson has dealt with serious injuries, suffering a torn ACL and undergoing major foot surgery along the way.

“It is definitely a challenge, me and my teammate Sylvie [LeBouef] have gone through really similar things,” said star attacker Henderson. “We really help support each other. We both play low attack and we talk through it. Like when our knee is hurting or we are having the same struggles with our brace, having to tape it. We are able to talk to each other and that is a really great connection to have because we understand the struggle of it.”

Going through injury struggles has required Henderson to modify her game.

 more

RECORD PACE: Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse player Tessa Caputo races upfield in game earlier this season. Last Wednesday, Caputo tallied five goals and four assists as PDS fell 16-15 to Notre Dame. On Monday, Caputo scored seven goals with two assists as fourth-seeded PDS fell 14-11 to fifth-seeded Hun in the quarterfinal round of the Mercer County Tournament. Fairfield University commit Caputo recently broke the program record of 232 career goals and now has 242. The Panthers, now 11-4, are next in action when they play in the Prep B state tournament where they are seeded second and are slated to host third-seeded Morristown-Beard in a semifinal contest on May 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Tessa Caputo has been piling up the milestones this spring in her final season for the Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse team.

Star attacker and Fairfield University commit Caputo recently broke the program record of 232 goals and now has 242. She also holds the Panther mark in points with 386 as she closes in on joining the 400 club.

While Caputo is proud of those achievements, she is not dwelling on stats.

“It is definitely something fun to look at but at the end of the day, it is not something that I am focused on going into games,” said Caputo. “My mom is all over it, she loves it.”

 more

By Bill Alden

Charlie Batista tapped the left side of his chest as he was greeted by his Hun School baseball teammates by the dugout after striking out the side in the sixth inning to cap a stellar mound effort against the Hill School (Pa.) last Friday.

Showing heart, senior Batista dug deep in his final inning of work.

“I was thinking coming into that sixth inning, I was getting up there, the most I pitched before this game was like 78,” said Batista. “I got up to 91 pitches. I felt good all the way through. That was a nice way to end.”

Batista produced a nice effort overall, yielding just one hit with eight strikeouts and three walks as Hun prevailed 3-0.

 more

ON THE BALL: Stuart Country Day School lacrosse player Allison Lee, right, goes after the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, junior star Lee tallied seven goals and two assists as Stuart fell 14-12 to South Brunswick. The Tartans, who lost 14-5 Hopewell Valley in the Mercer County Invitational last Monday to move to 3-9, host Delaware Valley on May 9 and then play at Princeton Day School on May 13. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though time was running out on the Stuart Country Day School lacrosse team as it trailed South Brunswick by three goals in the waning moments last Saturday, Allison Lee wasn’t about to give up.

Stuart junior star Lee darted into the crease area and fired a shot into the back of the cage with 26.9 second left in the game to tally the final goal of the day as the Tartans fell 14-12.

While Lee was disappointed by the result on a day when Stuart jumped out to a 4-2 lead heading into the second quarter, she exemplified the way the Tartans battled to the final horn.

“We got into a really good rhythm at first, we were really focused and into it,” said Lee, who ended up with seven goals and two assists in the defeat.

 more

NO BACKING DOWN: Princeton High boys’ tennis player Melvin Huang hits a backhand last week at the Mercer County Tournament. Senior star Huang won the title at second singles as PHS finished second in the team standings at the event. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

True to form, Princeton High boys’ tennis player Melvin Huang did it the hard way as he took a grueling route to winning the second singles title at the Mercer County Tournament last Thursday.
In the morning, senior star and top-seeded Huang outlasted Shritan Gopu of WW/P-South in a semifinal contest decided by a 7-point match tiebreak as he won 5-7, 7-6, [7-3].

“I wasn’t focused on the final, I was just focusing on every point,” said Huang, known for his relentless work ethic and propensity for grinding out wins. “I tried flattening the ball out a little more, making him take lower. He starts cramping up so that also helped. As I started gathering momentum, I tried to focus on finishing the match. I was getting satisfied getting to 5-all and then getting to a tiebreak.” more